About Latin American London

Brazilians, Colombians and Ecuadoreans in London

Restaurants, Spanish-speaking money transfer kiosks and cyber-cafés are visible evidence of a sizeable presence of Brazilians in West London (from Notting Hill to Putney), Colombians and Ecuadoreans in Elephant & Castle, and Colombians in Finsbury Park.

Affordable rents or historic ties – heading for areas where friends of friends have already set up shop – are the reasons for the emergence of these districts. 

Seven Sisters Market: London's Largest Latin American Market

There is no true "barrio latino" in London in the way there is in LA. But perhaps Seven Sisters market is the largest Latin American market in Britain. Saturday are an ideal day to visit for a blast of Latin culture and food. 

Latin American London: Elephant & Castle

For another flavour of Latin American London visit the Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre. Here you'll find a concentration of Latino shops and services.

Take a look at the foods and fashions imported from Colombia and stop by for a coffee at any of the small cafe-bars. You will also notice that self-employment is considered attractive by Latin Americans. Many bought premises in the centre in the 1990s and built up a network of shops and services. Running a business is prized as being founded on self-sufficiency and talent.

Latin American Salsa in London

In the 1980s, salsa clubs began springing up catering for the demand from the Latin American communities and a growing home-grown audience for this style of dancing. The word "salsa" quickly entered the mainstream and today over 800,000 classes are held in the UK with London as the epicentre. Fans can choose from high-end clubs like Floridita in the West End to local bars like South Central in Elephant & Castle.

Latin Americans with an artistic leaning often work as musicians or dance teachers. Many Cubans, Argentines, Brazilians and others have become ambassadors for their national music and dances: salsa, tango and samba.